I rarely gamble...

[Truckman]

I don't know why you'd start this off with "I rarely gamble", and then start bragging about a beater like this!

One man's trash is another man's treasure, Ralph...Who knows, someday there may be a market for old scrap iron like this...I also speculate in the bottle cap and matchbook market, but that one is certainly not for amateurs......Ben

 

[toad67]

Great hand to go all in on, thanks for showing your cards. Well worth the gamble, IMO..

 

[A10]

Nice score! The stocks are probably worth 1/3 or so of what you paid...

 

[Retired W4]

Like quinn said, Smooth non-relieved targets. Man, what a score. I just spotted it this morning and will spend a little more time digesting the photos and information. 6 1'2" 27ND. I'm impressed.

The flair at the bottom does suggest cokes. Show us a picture of the shape from the bottom. (Oval or squared)

Gambled and won.

 

[Truckman]

The flair at the bottom does suggest cokes. Show us a picture of the shape from the bottom. (Oval or squared)

Here you go......Ben

 

[Hawg Rider]

That's a nice acquisition, a real beauty! I took the liberty of flipping some of your pics so I could see it better. Most of us really like the .357 Magnums and Model 27s, and you found a keeper! I have a 5-screw and a few 27-2s, but would love to have a 27ND. Congratulations, and enjoy!

 

[Truckman]

I took the liberty of flipping some of your pics so I could see it better.

Thank you!...I have not mastered the art of preventing them from turning when I load them directly out of my telephone...And sometimes I'm too lazy to just use my camera......Ben

 

[Retired W4]

Looks more like the coke profile than not.

 

[22hipower]

A few more......Ben

Those stocks are terrific! In the pictures the washers appear to be silver but I assume that is just the lighting and that they are actually black?

I would have expected the gun to come with football relief diamond targets as did mine (6.5 inch SN 187551). Mine also has the red front sight insert which I would have expected to see on later examples. Great addition, and the box looks really nice too. Eager to see what the letter says when you get it.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2pqpBm5 https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[Truckman]

Those stocks are terrific! In the pictures the washers appear to be silver but I assume that is just the lighting and that they are actually black?...Mine also has the red front sight insert which I would have expected to see on later examples.

The washers are black oxide...My sights are black, front and rear with a dab of orange paint on the front...Acetone and a Q-tip will remedy that...

I notice also some firing pin strikes between chambers on the cylinder indicating some possible timing issues in the past, or maybe someone still learning trigger control...That point may be the reason it appears so little fired...I detect no timing problems at the current time......Ben

 

[Rad29]

I have always called these "Presentation Cokes". Smooth Rosewood with both the flare at the bottom and the same profile as traditional cokes on the base of the grips. Standard presentation - smooth N-frame grips have the same bottom profile as standard checkered, non-coke grips. They are certainly less seen than checkered Cokes and I believe of at least equal value! They appear on a lot of factory engraved guns from that time frame.

Bob

 

[Truckman]

Smooth Rosewood with both the flare at the bottom and the same profile as traditional cokes on the base of the grips. Standard presentation - smooth N-frame grips have the same bottom profile as standard checkered, non-coke grips.

Yes, now that I own both kinds (a few extra of the later variety) I can see the similarities and differences clearly...Mike hinted that the factory invoice might show this as an as-shipped feature...I need to hurry up and get back home from the doctor so I can finish up my letter requests......Ben

 

[Retired W4]

It's the non-relieved part of those stocks that get me. I know I haven't seen every thing, but I did not know coke were made without the football cut-out.

In "The Smith & Wesson 44 Magnum", Fig. 44 and 48 and several engraved examples have smooth cokes but the book does not show any left panels. Relieved or not??
My curiosity is getting the best of me.
Your 4 screw 27 is fantastic, regardless.

 

[Rusty parrot]

Truckman,
I think you hit a grand slam with this purchase and received a beautiful gun. Having Mike say you won't be disappointed getting it Lettered another huge win. I agree with Rad29's thoughts on the stocks and all I might add is I believe the non-relieved presentations made their appearance around 1954-55. Enjoy Sir and thanks so much for sharing.
Jake

 

[glenncal1]

I have a set of smooth coke profile targets on my model 58. but I had to have Mr. Culina make them for me. Was just shooting the gun this morning.

 

[fish4bugs]

I have a set of grips like that

They came on a pre 29 5 screw and i always thought they were from another gun.
Interesting....I now have them on a pre 24 44 special.

 

[Truckman]

My letter requests on this one and two others are now in Don's in-basket...I'll report the results as I get them......Ben

 

[66fan]

Long live the 27. I've never seen a 6 inch with a ramp front sight. Only reason I won't buy the new Classic is because of that front sight. I really dislike a Patridge front sight. I like the 4 inch 27 Classic but the burn marks on cylinder concern me.

 

[CC44]

Jealous! Beautiful!

 

[rct269]

From one with no real familiarity with anything past the end of the "5 screws", where did the name "Cokes" come from-----and why-----something about the shape perhaps?

Thanks!

Ralph Tremaine